Area Runners Compete in State Cross Country Meet
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
ROUND ROCK – The UIL State Cross Country Meet was held on Saturday, Nov. 4 and several runners from Houston and Anderson County were in Round Rock to compete against the best the Lone Star State had to offer in Class A through Class AAAA.
The meet was held at Old Settlers’ Park in Round Rock with the girls slotted to run 3200m (approximately two miles) and the boys scheduled to run 5000m (approximately three miles).
At the Class A level, the Slocum Mustangs were represented by Justin Neal who finished in 29th position with a time of 17:49.15. Neal is a sophomore so look for the young Mustang to vie for a medal in next year’s race.
On the girls’ side of the course, the Slocum Lady Mustangs finished 15th as a team with a score of 366. The Lady Mustangs were paced by Courtney January who finished 49th overall with a time of 14:18.34. She was followed by Isabella McNeil who finished in 50th place with a time of 14:19.09. Shelby Bowman finished 78th with a time 14:49. 83. Maddie Bates finished 94th with a time of 15:39.99. Laney Lasiter finished 95th with a time 15:40.76. Jalyn Fletcher finished 101st with a time of 16:05.36 and Tatiana Watson finished 105th with a time of 16:59.86.
Moving to the 2A level, the Grapeland Sandiettes finished 14th as a team with a combined team score of 316. The Sandiettes were paced by Kenya Woods who finished 36th overall with a time of 13:12.91. She was followed by Ragan Bowie who finished in 39th place with a time of 13:15.42. Cierra Simon finished 65th with a time 13:52.91. Hannah Chipman finished 67th with a time of 13:.55.37 and Christi Shepherd finished 109th with a time of 17:27.76.
The Latexo Tigers and Lady Tigers were also represented at the State Cross Country Meet. For the Tigers, Carter Catoe finished in 44th place with a time of 17:56.63. Tristan Curless finished 62nd with a time of 18:17.19.
For the Lady Tigers, Madison Kelsey finished in 46th place with a time of 13:02.11.
Centerville Lady Tiger Sarah Rivenbark made the trip to Round Rock and finished 91st with a time of 13:41.88.
The Neches Tigers and Lady Tigers were also in Round Rock on Saturday as Lady Tiger Kacie Kimbrough finished in 74th place with a time of 13:22.72. She was joined by Savanna Harris who finished 86th with a time of 13:37.21. The Tigers’ Bryant Kincaid also competed in the state meet and finished with a time of 17:57.04, good enough for 45th place.
Moving to the Class AAA level, Westwood Panther Brando Castillo finished 128th with a time of 19:05.83.
In the Class AAAA competition, the Palestine Wildcats finished sixth overall with a combined team score of 182. The Wildcats were led by Palestine freshman Luis Rangel who finished seventh with a time of 16:32.82. Michael Guzman finished 18th with a time 17:05.85. Christian Guzman finished 24th with a time of 17:10.3. Daniel Sanchez finished 58th overall with a time of 17:55.96. Francis Sis was 75th with a time of 18:23.92. Cristian Castillo was 86th with a time of 18:40.62 and Garrett Bowden finished 93rd with a time of 18:51.56.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
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